by Ed Wilkinson A high-ranking Vatican official from China says he doesn’t expect much to change in church-state relations with the new Chinese government. Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, S.D.B., said that “I don’t think there will be a big change in the immediate future for the religious policy in China. It’s not one of the […]
BALTIMORE (CNS) – During their annual fall general assembly in Baltimore Nov. 12-15, the U.S. bishops voted down a document on the troubled U.S. economy, passed documents on penance and better preaching, approved a reorganization of their Communications Department and endorsed the sainthood cause of Dorothy Day. On the assembly’s opening day, the bishops discussed […]
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was informed Nov. 19 by Pope Benedict XVI of the decision to designate Regina Pacis Church, 1230 65th St., Bensonhurst, a minor basilica. Last year, Bishop DiMarzio submitted a petition to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of the Vatican, requesting the honor. “This Thanksgiving, the Diocese […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Americans United for Life filed a brief Nov. 13 in Nebraska v. Health and Human Services, a case initiated by the state of Nebraska and six other states challenging the HHS mandate requiring most employers, including religious employers, to provide free coverage of contraceptives. The Washington-based group filed the brief on behalf […]
by Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) – The Israeli government and leaders of Hamas must make courageous decisions to end the violence that has once again forced residents of Southern Israel into their bomb shelters and residents of the Gaza Strip into their homes, said Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem. “We are sad for this […]
A few years ago, “Come Home for Christmas” campaigns became popular in some dioceses. The initiative was well-intentioned, meant to be welcoming. Its message was simple enough: No matter where you’ve been in relationship with the Church, we want you back for Mass on Christmas Day and, while you’re at it, make a good Advent […]
by Marie Elena Giossi Wife, mother and Catholic schoolteacher Nancy Sorenson, who tragically lost her life during Hurricane Sandy, was laid to rest following a funeral Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, Gravesend, Nov. 8. Sorenson, 50, died Oct. 30 in her Rockaway Park home when water surged into the family cellar, causing a […]
In recent years, the St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, education program has experienced unprecedented growth. The undergraduate program’s enrollment in 2008 was 102 students. However, now in 2012, 275 students have made the school’s education department the second largest on campus. One of the main factors in this success has been the emphasis on preparation […]
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Voters in Maine, Washington state and Maryland approved ballot measures legalizing same-sex marriage Nov. 6. In Minnesota, voters rejected a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as only a union between a man and woman. The Catholic bishops in each state had urged voters to uphold the traditional definition of marriage between […]
by Patricia Zapor BALTIMORE (CNS) – The U.S. bishops’ effort to send a pastoral message of hope in trying economic times came up short of the votes needed Nov. 13, after concerns were raised about its limitations, its expedited process and whether it actually was something that they would use to reach out to people. […]
